America Online Lends E-Mail to Compaq, Casio

America Online Inc. forged agreements
Wednesday to enable AOL members to access their e-mail via handheld devices from Compaq Computer Corp. and Casio Computer Co.

AOL (AOL)
is developing software that will allow clients to use Compaq’s (CPQ) Aero and
Casio’s CASSEOPEIA devices to send and receive their AOL e-mail. AOL will provide the software for free.

The companies have also agreed to work together on future initiatives that
explore development of AOL interactive services and
features for Casio’s and Compaq’s consumer electronic devices.

“Through this agreement, AOL members can use the Compaq Aero to quickly and
easily communicate wherever
they are,” said Ted Clark, vice president of Compaq’s iAppliance division.

“Our ‘AOL Anywhere’ strategy extends popular AOL applications to emerging
interactive platforms beyond the PC, including
Casio’s CASSIOPEIA palm-size PCs.said Barry Schuler, AOL’s president of
interactive services.

In related AOL news, the online giant kicked off the MacWorld conference in San
Francisco with a sneak preview of the beta version of its AOL 5.0 for
Macintosh.

Through a new welcome screen, AOL 5.0 for the Macintosh will provide
immediate access to the service’s most popular features, including direct
access to the AOL Channel Guide, e-mail — with new e-mail “signatures” —
top news headlines, weather, and sports.

Features of AOL 5.0 for the Macintosh include:

• On AOL 5.0 for the Macintosh, the “You’ve Got Pictures” icon will
  appear, and the familiar AOL “You’ve Got
  Mail” voice will greet people with an audio message when their photos have
  arrived online
• “My Calendar,” the new interactive calendar that will allow members to
  plan and
  manage important parts of their life by tracking appointments, key dates,
  and other personal events — all
  online
  
• The new “My Places” feature, that will allow members to personalize
  their AOL Welcome Screen
  with a list of sites they use most often
• “AOL Search,” the all-new search product that will enable AOL members
  to search the entire
  Internet and AOL’s exclusive content without having to leave the AOL service